Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Disease: The Young at Heart Prospective Cohort Study
Recruiting · 2 sites across 2 states
Always free
Study care at no cost to you
For your time and travel
Many studies pay you back
Most need no insurance or papers
Legal status usually isn't required; we'll tell you each study's requirements
Interpreters available
Ask for your language
Your choice
Voluntary — you can stop anytime
What is this study?
Background: Type 2 diabetes is a disease that affects blood sugar levels. Complications can include heart and blood vessel (vascular) diseases.
It is , overseen by an independent and licensed medical staff.
Read the full clinical description
Background: Type 2 diabetes is a disease that affects blood sugar levels. Complications can include heart and blood vessel (vascular) diseases. Rates of type 2 diabetes have tripled in children and young adults over the last 40 years. Vascular diseases are also increasing in young people. Objective: To learn more about factors, including type 2 diabetes, that may cause vascular disease in young people. Eligibility: People aged 12 to 25 years who (1) have type 2 diabetes; (2) are overweight but not diabetic; (3) or are lean and healthy. Biological parents are also needed. Design: Young participants will visit the NIH clinic once a year for up to 25 years. Each visit will take 4 days. Before each visit, participants will wear devices to track their sleep, activity, and blood sugar levels for 7 to 10 days. At each visit, participants will have tests including: Samples: They will provide blood, urine, and stool samples. Heart: They will ride a stationary bike for 6 minutes with stickers applied to their chest. Scans: They will lie on a bed that slides into a tube; the machine will take pictures of the inside of their body. Energy: They will wear a hood over their head to measure the air they breathe. Social stress: They will give a speech for 10 minutes to show their body s response to stress. Glucose: They will drink a sweet drink to see how their blood sugar changes. Biological parents will have 1 study visit. They will have blood tests. They will fill in questionnaires about their lifestyle and stress. ...
Who this study is looking for
In plain language, from the study's own rules. The study team confirms the full details with you — this isn't a final yes or no.
✅ You may be able to join if…
- •Ages 12 to 25 years (for youth groups)
- •Have type 2 diabetes (with specific blood sugar or A1c results, plus history items listed in the study)
- •Or be overweight/obese based on age/sex body measurements (BMI percentiles or BMI numbers), with optional prediabetes blood sugar results
- •Or be lean and healthy based on BMI rules for age (percentiles or BMI numbers) and A1c less than 5.7%
- •Biological parents of participating youth also join for one study visit
🚫 You may not be able to join if…
- •Have type 1 diabetes or have more than 2 diabetes auto-antibodies (example antibodies are listed)
- •Have medical, psychiatric, or cognitive problems that would limit their ability to follow study steps (some obesity-related conditions like hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea are allowed)
- •Have serious illnesses that could change metabolism (examples include moderate to severe renal disease with kidney filtration <30 mL/min/1.73m², congenital heart disease, Cushing’s syndrome, cancer, or other metabolic diseases linked to diabetes/extra weight)
- •Be unwilling to follow all study procedures and lifestyle guidance during the study
- •Be pregnant at the screening visit
Are you a good fit?
Simplified highlights. The study team always confirms the full details with you.
- ✓Adults roughly 12–25
- ✓A BMI around 85 or higher
- ✓Have Obesity / overweight or Type 2 diabetes or Heart / cardiovascular disease or High blood pressure or High cholesterol
- !Some conditions may not be a fit: Fatty liver disease (NASH/MASH), Kidney disease, Anxiety
- !Not for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding
What to expect, step by step
- 1
Usually a few weeks
The study team checks whether the study is a good fit for you, with a visit and sometimes lab tests. You can ask any questions before deciding.
- 2
Treatment
If you join and choose to continue, you receive the study treatment and are watched closely by medical staff.
- 3
Follow-up
After treatment, the team checks on your health and confirms the visit schedule with you. You can leave the study at any point.
Has this treatment been tested before?
The study team can share what safety testing has been done so far.
What you need to know before you apply
What is this study testing?+
Background: Type 2 diabetes is a disease that affects blood sugar levels. Complications can include heart and blood vessel (vascular) diseases.
Is it safe? Who makes sure of that?+
This is a research study. Every study is reviewed and monitored by an independent ethics board (called an IRB) whose job is to protect participants, and care is overseen by licensed medical staff. You'll be told the known risks before you agree to anything, and you can stop at any time.
Will I get a placebo instead of the real treatment?+
Some studies compare a treatment against a placebo (an inactive version), and some don't. If this one does, the study team will explain your chances of receiving the active treatment before you decide. Nothing is hidden from you.
Do I have to stop taking my current medications?+
It depends on the study. Some let you stay on your current medications and some ask you to adjust them. Never stop a medication on your own — the study team will review everything with you first.
Does it cost anything? Will I be paid?+
Study-related care is provided at no cost to you. Some studies also pay for your time; the coordinator can tell you if this one does. You should never be asked to pay to take part.
Do I need insurance? Will anyone ask about my immigration status?+
No. You do not need health insurance to take part in a research study, and you will not be asked about your immigration status to join. Taking part is about whether you're a medical fit for the study.
What if English isn't my first language?+
You have the right to understand everything before you agree. Study sites can often provide materials or an interpreter in your language — you can ask the coordinator for one.
Is my information private?+
Yes. Your health information is only shared with the study sites you choose to be contacted by, and only to help match and enroll you. It is never sold, and you can ask us to delete it at any time.
Some requirements (like specific lab values or timing) are confirmed directly by the study team, not by us.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT06730113 · Locations: District of Columbia · Maryland